Happy Halloween!

 

Have a Delightful day of Smiles and Laughter.
Happy Halloween!

Chow-Chow

 

 

 

 

At the end of the garden season, we often have green tomatoes still in the garden.
Some of them will ripen on the kitchen counter, but my favorite thing to do with them is make what we call Chow-Chow.  A special Autumn relish, which nicely pairs with meat or even on a sandwich.
It is a recipe I have used for a very long time and thought you might also enjoy it.

Chow-Chow

20 medium green tomatoes
8 large apples (unpeeled) I like to use Granny Smith here.
8 medium sized onions
3 green peppers
2 red peppers
1 tablespoon each of salt, celery seed, mustard seed, turmeric, cinnamon
5 cups sugar
3 cups apple cider vinegar

Grind all the vegetables and drain well.
Put into a large kettle, add seasonings, sugar, and vinegar.
Bring to a boil and cook 30 minutes.
Put into jars and seal.
Note: I seal without a water bath, but keep everything very hot.
You may feel safer to use a water bath, whatever makes you most comfortable here.

ENJOY!

One Word

 

Caramelly

All Hallowed Eve in the Garden House

Come and enter the Garden House
At this time of year on a special evening it feels like there are unseen visitors.
Can you see them here waiting to be served?
Are they waiting for their special cup of tea with secrets hidden here?

One of them has left their broom sitting by the door of this dear Garden House.
Will they be dancing in the star light?

 

 

 

Hummm?  I wonder what will be in that cup of tea?
Is there someone at the window peaking in?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Come sit a spell and celebrate!
The tea is on
The time is now
Come dance in the moonlight.
Twirl in the night
And sing songs of JOY
We are celebrating here

Delighting in the Autumn light

Today I am linking to Vanessa at A Fanciful Twist

Richard Brandt, Ceramic Artist

 

 

One of the speakers at the NW Tea Festival this year was Richard Brandt, a ceramic artist.
He shared the history of the tea bowl, including the story of the clay and firing that goes into making a beautiful bowl.  It is a journey that he is traveling, one of learning and sharing the story of the containers that serve tea.  He told of being served tea in a beautiful tea bowl and becoming enchanted.
To learn more of the history visit this sight:
  http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/asia/j/jizhou_tea_bowl.aspx

In a tea ceremony I was honored to sit in at the World Tea Expo a few years ago,
 I was served in a tea bowl that was over 100 years old.
 The feel of the history of that bowl just felt so comfortable in my hands.
To hold a bowl made by an artist feels as if you become a part of that piece of clay.
The teaware by Richard Brandt just had that feel in the hands when holding a piece of his artwork.

Orange Spotted

Recently in the newspaper it said ORANGE was the hot color
in fashion this season.
Have you noticed ORANGE?
I have even noticed it on baby strollers
and baby blankets.
Do you like ORANGE?
I am loving spotting it as I am out and about,
but mostly I am loving it at the market and in the garden.
Take note as you walk through your day.
The color ORANGE is popping up everywhere.

A Gift

 

A few mornings ago I was reading the morning newspaper, I stopped to look at the obituaries.
Do you read the obituaries sometimes?
I didn't know the woman that morning, but was drawn to read about her.
What struck me was the gift of her last words to her daughters.

"Remember to listen to the trees, talk to the flowers, 
and dance in the rain
and continue running your own race!"

These words just touched my heart.
Yes, we must remember this.
For this will bring us JOY!
It doesn't cost us a penny,
but worth a million dollars.